The goal of Swamp Jam is to be open for a wide range of levels. You’re welcome to join and play along, listen as you work out details, make mistakes loudly (that’s the best way to learn!), or whatever makes you comfortable. The easiest way to know tunes is to call them yourself.
That all said, here in Bowling Green, OH, we have the benefit of sitting between and among a number of intersecting music communities. It’s not always easy to find them, though. So this is a working list of links and bits of information that might be of interest to folks who are looking for people to play with. Basically, it’s a list of things that I (Chris) wish I could find when I moved here!
When we talk about “old time” music, we’re generally referring to a body of fiddle tunes played on fiddle (of course), clawhammer/open back banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bass. Other instruments can be welcome, as well. It depends on the community. There is an open session in the Toledo area. The current host just happens to be here in Bowling Green! These happen from 2-4 PM on one Saturday each month. Reach out for details. (Once I confirm that I can make them public, I will.)
Learning these tunes can be tough. It’s generally done by ear as the song is playing. All melody players (fiddle, banjo, and mandolin, mostly) play the melody together until the person who called the tune raises a foot to signal that it’s going to end.
It’s easy to feel lost as a beginner, but these tunes will come up again and again, so they will get more familiar. Ask for names and you can generally find recordings to learn and practice from between sessions. But beware that there are often many different versions! So working by ear can help to ensure that you are playing something that matches or fits what the leader is doing.
I have a number of my own transcriptions available and there are tons of resources out there in the wild.
The Toledo scene looks north, with a lot of communication and overlap with the old time scene in Detroit, Michigan. That community has started a new website with it’s own song lists and links to resources.
Bluegrass is a broad term that can refer to a whole lot of different styles. This is generally faster music (but not at jams) that is song-centric, rather than fiddle tune-centric. It features guitar, singing, fiddle, three finger banjo (very different than old time clawhammer playing), mandolin, dobro, bass, and other instruments.
There are folks who regularly play in the area, but I am not currently aware of any open jams nearby. I’ve been told of two, but haven’t made it out to see if they still run. One is at the Bluegrass Opry Barn in Paulding County, OH and the other looks like it might be a new one at the Toledo Library. But the Swamp Jam is a great place for this! We do some bluegrass and are open to bluegrass-style playing. Come join us on Mondays!
This can be tough to get into for different reasons. The songs at jams are usually vocal, with simpler melodies that you will try and pick up by ear. They are easier to find on your instrument than most old time tunes, but instead of playing all together, melodic instruments take “breaks”: improvisations (usually) after each chorus and before the next verse. Breaks can follow the melody or be completely new. So improvisation is key, here. Some players may find that intimidating, but these are generally very welcoming communities, too. Fiddle and mandolin players may find Austin Scelzo’s YouTube teaching helpful.
Bluegrass jams can also include Western Swing and honky tonk (think Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys and Hank Williams, Sr. as important examples). Aside from a few exceptions, old time fiddle tunes don’t usually fit into these communities because of the very different challenges and skill sets. But it’s always worth asking!
One of the best ways to learn bluegrass that I’m aware of is the Wernick Method from bluegrass banjo player and educator Pete Wernick. It’s centered on listening. His site has some great information and resources and is worth a look. I’m certified to teach a class, but haven’t set one up. If there’s interest, I’d be open to it. The only downside is that it’s a proprietary method, so it does cost a bit of money.
There is a lot of other music that fits into what we welcome at the Swamp Jam. Please do bring your favorites! Some examples that don’t usually have their own “jamming” communities include gospel tunes (like “I’ll fly away” or “In the highways, in the hedges”), folk songs (Woody Guthrie, Odetta), the blues (Mississippi John Hurt), balladry and so on. We’d love to sing some Sacred Harp, too! We’re open.
While we don’t focus on these, BG and the Toledo area have a whole host of musical communities centered on Irish, jazz, and other traditions. Email or stop in to a jam and ask if you’re interested.